Detroit Pistons: 3 goals for Christian Wood in 2020-21

Christian Wood’s third goal: Improved defense and rim protection

To hear Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey tell the story, defense was the biggest hindrance for Wood all season and it’s a big reason it took so long to supplant a rotational role away from Thon Maker, a clearly inferior player. While Wood’s offense was so good it ultimately became impossible to keep him off the floor, it’s an obvious impediment.

There are a number of reasons for this, although it appears that a lack of focus and attention to detail might be the biggest culprit. It’s something he’s got a reputation for and it’s likely the biggest cap on his potential. His offense is not likely to fully transcend frequent defensive foibles, so his goal needs to be a matter of at least limiting and reducing those mistakes, if not completely eliminating them.

Wood was the only player to get major minutes for the Detroit Pistons this season who ended up with a positive net rating, and that’s an incredible feat considering the shabby state the roster was in most of the season. A defensive boost along these lines could take him to the next level for a Pistons team eager to see him grow and develop in Detroit.